Grader.



J. N. MCCARTY.

HEADER,

APPLICATION FILED IAN.14. 1916.

1 ,285,280. Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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J. N. MCCARTY.

GRADER,

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. 1918.

1,285,280, Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.I4.1918.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

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S A S JAMES n. MeoAnrY, on PAW' Pnmuurciirenri. I

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 19, 1918.

Application filed January 14, 1918. Serial No. 211,807.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES-N. -N[OOARTY, a citizen of the United States, residing. at Paw Paw, in the county of Van Buren and State'of Michigan, have inventedc'ertain new and useful Improvements in Graders,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in graders.

My improved grader, is especially designed by me for grading potatoes although it is advantageous for use in grading fruit.

The main obj ectsof this invention are:

. First to provide an improved grader-in which the size of the be varied; I

Second, to provide an improved grader which is of large capacity. I I

Third, to provide an improved; grader which does not become clogged. T 1

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed 'descriptionto, follow.

I accomplish the objectsof my invention by the devices and means described in-the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and'pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying d-rawing;-forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a sideeleva-tion of a structure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is an elevation of the opposite side from that shown in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a vertical longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. IV.

Fig. IV is a front view with the feed chute omitted.

Fig. V is a detail transverse section on a line corresponding to line 55 f Fig. I.

Fig. VI is a rear view. 7

Fig. VII is a detail transverse section on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. I.

Fig. VIII is an enlarged detailview of the grader showing one adjustment of the grading openings.

Fig. IX is an enlarged detail view showing another adjustment of the grader.

Fig. X is an enlarged detail view showing still another adjustment of the grading openings.

Fig. XI is a detail view of a modified construction showing means for providing grading openings may grading openings of different shape and size in the same grading drum.

.Fig. XII is an enlarged detail section on a linev corresponding to line 1212 of Fig. II.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several-views, and the sectional views are taken looking, in the direction. of the little arrows at the ends of thesection lines.

Referring to the drawing, the frame 1 is of suitable.structure to Support'the grading drum 2 in an elevated position. The grading drum 2 iscarried by pairs of rollers, 3, 3 and 4, 4 positioned so that the drum is supported in a rearwardly' inclined position; -The drum isprovided with rings or collars .5-resting on the rollers and at its front end. with a wormgear 6. The'driving shaft 7 is disposed transversely below the drum and provided with a worm 8 meshing with the gearfi. At one end the driving shaft is provided with a balance wheel 9 and at the other with a pinion 10 meshing with the gear 11 of the gearingzl2. r

The grading drum 2 consists of an outer member 13 and an inner member" 14, the inner ,member. being. arranged within the outer for rotative and longitudinal'"adjustment, being secured in its adj usted. position by the set screw 15. The inner and outer drum members have rows of holes 16 and 17 therein preferably arranged with the holes of adjacent rows alternated. The holes of the members areof the same size and adapted to be brought into register or adjusted to bring the holes of the inner member partially out of register with those of the outer, thereby decreasing the size of the grading openings. By arranging the inner member so that it may be adjusted both longitudinally and rotatively, and the shape as well as the size of the openings may be considerably varied.

In Fig. VII the inner member is shown adjusted longitudinally so that the oval holes are provided, the diameter being circumferential of the drum. In Fig. IX the inner member is adjusted rotatively so that the greatest diameter of the holes is longitudinally of the drum. In Fig. X the inner drum is adjusted both rotatively and longitudinally so that the greatest diameter of the holes is diagonally of the cylinder.

In the modification shown in Fig. XI

the screen in the structure illustrated consisting of a series of bars 18 arranged in an inclined position below the drum, a defiector 19 being positioned above the screen to guide the potatoes discharged at one side toward the screen so that they will travel over the same and aiiord an opportunity for separation from the dirt.

To tree the grading openings from potatoes which become wedged therein 1 provide a plurality of tappets consisting of heads 20 and spring supports 21 mounted on. the frame so that the heads ride on the drum and pass into and out of the grading holes as the drum rotates. The heads 20 are pret erably formed of rubber, the spring supports 21 being rod springs having coils 22 formed therein.

A teed chute 23 is arranged at the front so as to discharge into the front, end of the drum. The potatoes to be graded are poured or shoveled into the feed chute from which they roll into the drum and as the drum is rotated the smaller-potatoes drop through the grading openings, the larger ones being discharged at the rear end of the drum 'i My improved grader is of large capacity and the potatoes arenot bruised or: injured inpassing therethrough.

I have illustrated and described my improvements as Lhave embodied the same. 1 have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain adaptations or modifications of which my invention is capable as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be required. 7

Having thus described may invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. in a potato grader; the combination with a frame, of a toraminated drum comprising inner and outer members having registering holes therein, the inner member being rotatively and longitudinally adjustable within the outer member to regulate the size of the grading openings, and means tor rotatively supporting said drum.

2. In a potato grader, the combination with a frame, of a toraminated drum com prising an outer member and a plurality of inner members, said members having registering holes, the inner members being supported for independent rotative longitudinal adjustment within the outer member to facilitate the regulating of the size or" the gradingopenings, and means for rotatively supporting said drum.

in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

AliiES N; MCCARTY.

iVitnesses J. B. WARNER, ESTHER S'rnvmvson.

this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Go'mmissioner or" Eatents, 

